Fusarium mangiferae (mango malformation disease) in the Northern Territory

 

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Publication Date

Mon, 09 May 2022, 06:24

Last Updated

May 9, 2022, 6:24 a.m.

Report Number

AUS-108/1

Country

Australia

Pest Id

Fusarium mangiferae - (FUSAMG)

Report Status

Final

Hosts

Mango Mangifera indica L

Pest Status (ISPM 8 - 2021)

• Present: not widely distributed and under official control

Geographical Distribution

Northern Territory

Summary

Fusarium mangiferae was first detected in November 2007 about 60 kilometres east of Darwin, Northern Territory. This fungus had not previously been detected in Australia. The site was quarantined, and the mango trees removed and destroyed.

In December 2008, F. mangiferae was detected in four trees in Queensland. The trees were destroyed, no further infected trees have been identified in Queensland and the disease is considered to no longer be present.

Between 2009 and 2012 seven infected trees were identified across three additional premises in NT during ongoing surveillance. Further surveillance and monitoring has been undertaken to determine if Fusarium mangiferae is still present in the NT and to consider the feasibility of eradication. Since 2012 the disease has only been detected at one premise already known to be infested with MMD and a second premise in the same region. It is thought the fungus may have been present in NT for several decades and measures are in place to regulate mango nursery stock and propagation stock movement to other states and territories.

In 2022, it was determined that Fusarium mangiferae is not eradicable from the Northern Territory.

Danger

Mango Malformation Disease (MMD) is a fungal disease of mangoes caused by several species of Fusarium. It affects tree growth and is not spread or carried on fruit. Mangoes are the only known host of the disease. It has been found in many overseas mango producing countries. In other countries, F. mangiferae is reported to cause severe symptoms on susceptible hosts with significant yield loss. During the 15 years that F. mangiferae has been known to occur in Australia, there has been no evidence of adverse economic impact regionally or nationally. MMD caused by F. mangiferae is a cryptic disease that can remain dormant for several years before showing symptoms or initiating an epidemic. Since it is not a disease of fruit, the detection of F. mangiferae in the Northern Territory will not affect the transport of fruit within the Northern Territory or to interstate or overseas markets.

Contact for info

Australian Chief Plant Protection Officer Australian Government Department of Agriculture GPO Box 858 Canberra ACT 2601 [email protected]

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